Petunia plant named ‘Dancasdeep’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  plant named ‘Dancasdeep’ characterized by having large, red colored flowers; a long blooming season; cascading growth habit; blooming in a moderate winter climate; and suitable for patios and outdoors bedding.

Botanical designation: Petunia sensu Wijsman.

Variety denomination: ‘Dancasdeep’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant, botanically known as Petunia sensu Wijsman, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Dancasdeep’.

The new cultivar originated from cross-made in a controlled breeding program in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is a Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated ‘CV-6288’ (unpatented). The male parent is a Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated ‘CV-124’ (unpatented). ‘Dancasdeep’ was discovered and selected by the Inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting of side shoots, was first performed in February of 2003 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Dancasdeep’ which in combination distinguish this Petunia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Large, red colored flowers;     -   2. Long blooming season;     -   3. Cascading growth habit;     -   4. Blooms in moderate winter climate; and     -   5. Suitable for patios and outdoors bedding.

Plants of ‘Dancasdeep’ differ from plants of the parental cultivars, ‘CV-6288’ (unpatented) and ‘CV-124’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘CV-6288’ ‘CV-124’ Character ‘Dancasdeep’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Flowering time Early, Spring Early, Spring Medium, Summer Flower size Large Large Small Diameter: 6 cm Diameter: 5 cm Diameter: 3.5 cm Depth: 3 cm Depth: 3 cm Depth: 1.5 cm Leaf size Large Large Small Length: 6.0 cm Length: 6.0 cm Length: 2 cm Width: 3.0 to Width: 3.0 to Width: 1.5 cm 3.5 cm 3.5 cm Flower Color Red Group, Red Group, Red Group, RHS 45B RHS 46C RHS 49A

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present Inventor, the most similar in comparison to ‘Dancasdeep’ is the cultivar ‘Danpetbor’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 11/128,327). Plants of ‘Dancasdeep’ differ from plants of ‘Danpetbor’ in the following characteristics:

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Danpetbor’ Character ‘Dancadeep’ (unpatented) Flowering time Early, Spring Medium, Summer Flower size Large Small-Medium Diameter: 6 cm Diameter: 4 to 5 cm Leaf size Large Small Length: 6.0 cm Length: 3 cm Width: 3.0 to 3.5 cm Width: 1.5 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Petunia cultivar ‘Dancasdeep’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of the ‘Dancasdeep’.

The first photograph shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Dancasdeep’ in a hanging planter at 3 months of age.

The second photograph shows a close-up view of the typical flowers and leaves of ‘Dancasdeep’ at 3 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘Dancasdeep’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Plants of ‘Dancasdeep’ are grow outdoors in a moderate climate, and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘Dancasdeep’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘Dancasdeep’ are fully grown in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year-round in a moderate climate. ‘Dancasdeep’ is used as a pot and bedding plant.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 3 months.

-   Parentage:     -   -   Male parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated             ‘CV-124’ (unpatented).         -   Female parent.—Petunia sensu Wijsman cultivar designated             ‘CV-6288’ (unpatented). -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Petunia sensu Wijsman.         -   Commercial.—Petunia cv. Cascadias Deep Red. -   Propagation: Cutting of side shoots. -   Plant: -   General appearance and form:     -   -   Height.—25 cm.         -   Spread.—60 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Cascading.         -   Growth rate.—Fully grown plant in 3 months.         -   Branching habit and description.—Normal branching habit             typical to Petunia species.         -   Flowering response.—Long day facultative.         -   Flowering season.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Winter hardiness/weather tolerance.—Frost tender. Plants may             be damaged by temperatures below 5° C.         -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—2 to 4 days.         -   Rooting habit.—From cutting base.         -   Time to initiate roots.—1 week.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—2 to 3 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Stem description:     -   -   Length.—45 to 70 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.4 to 0.6 cm.         -   Strength.—Medium.         -   Branching.—Freely.         -   Pubescence.—Yes.         -   Internode length.—5 cm.         -   Internode and stem and color.—Yellow-Green Group, RHS 144 A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Length.—6 cm.         -   Width.—3.0 to 3.5 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Lustrous.         -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green Group,             RHS147 A. Immature leaf: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 146 A.         -   Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Yellow-Green Group, RHS             146 A. Immature leaf: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 146 A.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 144C.             Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 144C.         -   Petiole.—No Petiole. The leaves grow directly from the stem. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower longevity.—2 to 4 days.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: 6 cm. Depth: 3 cm.         -   Floral tube.—Diameter: 1 cm at the corolla surface.         -   Flower shape/type.—Trumpet.         -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—6 to 8.         -   Petals.—Number: 5; (all the 5 petals are united). Length: 5             cm (length from the edge of the petal up to the base of the             floral tube). Width: 5 cm across. Shape: Corolla united with             5 lobes and a long straight tube. Apex: Truncate. Margin:             Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Glabrous. Lower surface:             Hirsute. Color: Upper surface: The center tube: Green-Yellow             Group, RHS 1 C; The main petal surface: Red Group, RHS 45 B.             Lower surface: Red Group, RHS 52-B.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: 1.7 cm. Width: 0.4 cm. Shape:             Elliptic. Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Lustrous.             Color: Upper surface: Green Group, RHS 137 A. Lower surface:             Green Group, RHS 137 B.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: 7 to 10 days. Color: Lower part:             Greyed-Red Group, RHS179 B; Upper part: Greyed-Green Group,             RHS 191 B. Shape: Tubular. Length: 3 to 4 cm. Diameter: 0.2             to 1.0 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Color: Green Group, RHS 137 B. Length: 2 to 4 cm. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen.—Number: 5. Color: Green-Yellow Group, RHS 1 C.         -   Anthers.—From some of the Anthers, grows small red petals.             Color: Green-Yellow Group, RHS 1 B.         -   Filament.—Color: Green-Yellow Group, RHS 1 C.         -   Pollen.—Color: Violet Group, RHS N88 A. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Stigma.—Color: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 146 C.         -   Ovary.—Color: Yellow-Green Group, RHS 146 C. -   Seed: Number: 40 to 50. Width: 1 mm. Length: 1 mm. Shape: Ovoid.     Color: Brown Group, RHS 200 C.     -   -   Fruit.—Number: Few, when naturally pollinated. Width: 4 mm.             Length: 8 mm. Shape: Ellipsoid. Color: Grey-Brown Group, RHS             199 A. -   Disease/pest resistance: No information currently available. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No information currently available. 

1. A new and distinct Petunia plant named ‘Dancasdeep’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 